Megabit 23 — April 01

Daniel, the Brave Prophet

Today we remember a very brave prophet named Daniel, a man God chose to share His messages. When Daniel was still a young boy, his city of Jerusalem was captured by a powerful king named Nebuchadnezzar (say it: neb-uh-kad-NEZ-er). Daniel and many others were taken far away to live in a city called Babylon.

Even in a strange new land, Daniel kept loving and praying to God. So God filled him with His Holy Spirit and gave him a special gift: Daniel could understand dreams that no one else could.

One night the king had a frightening dream, and in the morning he could not remember it. None of the king's wise men could help him. But Daniel and his three young friends prayed, and God showed Daniel both the dream and what it meant. The king was so happy that he gave Daniel a place of great honor. Later Daniel told the king something gentle but true:

I do not worship idols, but I worship the Living God Who created the heavens and the earth.— Daniel

Daniel and the Hungry Lions

In Babylon some people prayed to statues instead of to the real God. One statue was called Bel. The people thought it ate the food they set out, but Daniel knew a statue cannot eat or drink. So Daniel sprinkled soft ashes on the floor and locked the door. The next morning, the floor was covered with footprints! That showed everyone that sneaky people had taken the food, not the statue. Now they knew the truth.

Some people were upset with Daniel and had him put into a deep pit where seven big lions lived. They thought the hungry lions would hurt him. But God was watching over Daniel, and God is stronger than anything.

God even sent an angel to carry a good man named Habakkuk all the way from another country, just to bring Daniel a meal in the pit. After a whole week, the king came sadly to look, sure that Daniel was gone. Instead, he found Daniel sitting safely while the great lions licked his feet, as gentle as kittens. The king shouted with joy:

Great is the God of Daniel, Who hath made the lions to be gentle to him!— the king

Daniel Lives in Peace

After that, the king lifted Daniel up out of the pit, safe and well. Daniel had been faithful to God, and God had taken good care of him.

Daniel stayed in Babylon for many, many years, until God's people were finally able to go home to Jerusalem. He lived a long life of prayer, and at last he died in peace, going home to the God he loved. We remember Daniel and thank God for keeping him safe.

A Day to Remember Jesus' Friends

On this day, long after Daniel, some leaders met together in a house and began to make plans against our Lord Jesus. This was part of the sad days before Jesus would show His great love by laying down His life for us.

But we never need to be afraid, because we know the happy ending: Jesus loves us so much, and He is stronger than anything. On this day we can say a quiet thank-you to Jesus for loving us, and remember to stay His good and faithful friends, just like Daniel was.